Need for more livable space marks 2022 home design trends - Trending | Home design trends 2022 YYC

Making the most of available space has always been the point of home designs and balancing the needs of practicality and style have always been key. Now more than ever, homebuilders are stressing the importance of the innovative use of space as the pandemic lockdowns create new needs for homeowners.

If the past year has taught us anything about homebuilding, it’s that the homebuyers have new expectations of their private spaces. Working from home increased the need for flex spaces, not only in single-family homes where they are expected, but in the multi-family sector as well.

Townhomes, duplex models, laned homes, and front-drive models have seen some of the most innovative designs not only in the inventive use of space, but in the increase of sustainability features as well.

Avalon Master Builder

The developers of the popular ZEN townhome series have laid out some amazing new floorplans for 2022, but a key component of their designs remains to be increasing energy efficiency. Avalon is continuing to apply Net Zero and Net Zero Ready methods in their building designs and construction process, says Marni Chenier, Marketing and Communications lead at Avalon.

“This past year we built a Net Zero Demonstration Home in Cranston which allowed us to test innovative technologies and features and work them into our building processes in the Net Zero (multi-unit residential buildings) we’re building at ZEN Sequel, in Seton,” she says.

Seton, the southeast community by Brookfield Residential, has been selling well for Avalon. “In 2022, we’ll begin construction on our third townhome development in Seton: ZEN Abrio. It will have 76 unique townhomes including two- and three-bedroom plans as well as two-storey City Homes, which have been a consistent best-seller.”

ZEN Abrio will have under-drive garages that more buyers are requesting. “ZEN Abrio will include underdrive units, combining our functional floorplans with the attached garages that many first-time home buyers desire and right-sizers require for comfort and accessibility.”

Go to avalonmasterbuilder.com to register.

Excel Homes

Excel Homes’ success has always been its ability to accommodate the homebuyers’ ever-changing needs, and the past year was no different. What the renowned homebuilder has seen is a growing need for more space, especially among young families.

Excel has come up with inventive solutions that assure more home for the money, including main floor flex room, bonus rooms, third floor lofts, developed basements and more!

“Multigenerational living is also contributing to the demand for more space and for everyone in the home to have their own sanctuary within the home,” says Excel Homes Marketing Manager, Kristina Plank.

She says Excel has also noticed a higher need for comfort. “With families spending more time at home, we have seen a rise in demand for more at home gyms, at-home offices and large master retreats. With the pandemic, homes are becoming the place where we live, work and play.”

New from Excel is the Jasper front-drive garage home, which is slated to open as a showhome in the southeast lake community of Mahogany in spring of 2022. The Jasper will incorporate all the new innovative ideas Excel has learned from the past year, including a private home office, large master retreat, an at home gym, and the perfect space with unwind with a wet bar and entertainment center.

Also new is the bi-level laned home, the Creston, Excel’s largest laned home yet at 1,780 square-feet. It’s for the first-time homebuyer that wants some upscale elegance, Plank says. Another brand-new model is the Newbrook which has four bedrooms and two-and-ahalf baths that can have a developed basement and/or a loft.

Plank says developing secondary suites have become important to their buyers for rental income or to accommodate extended family. We are hoping to develop more floorplans that accommodate this upgrade,” she adds.

Find out more at excelhomes.ca.

StreetSide Developments

StreetSide Developments, the multi-family arm of Qualico, have developed some of the city’s most recognizable condo apartment buildings and townhomes, like Vivace at West 85th, and Konekt Inglewood. What they have seen in the past year is the need for more space in multi-family homes.

StreeSide Marketing Manager, Max Conrad, tells Calgary New Home + Condo Guide those buyers – across all budgets – are looking for more spacious homes, and that three-bedroom homes are the most popular followed by two-bedrooms with den or flex space.

StreetSide created more three-bedroom opportunities as a standard in their townhome communities, including Red Embers Point and Creekstone.

The new designs have been a hit, even as the first phase of Red Embers Point is almost sold out, as the new designs have proven very popular – especially the double garage models.

“We then created different levels of homes to accommodate the various budgets buyers have. Homes are then able to be customized using our StreetSide Standard Interior Selections, allowing buyers to choose from either some pre-determined palettes or giving them the chance to create their own,” Conrad says.

“Today’s buyer is also searching for simple, uncomplicated interior selections,” he says. “They want their home to remain timeless while having its own personality. That’s why we introduced our new StreetSide Standard interior selections when we launched Red Embers Point and Creekstone last Fall. This program allows us to make interior selections more understandable, while offering a classic collection of options that are both low maintenance and long lasting.”

StreetSide homes now offers Quartz countertops as standard in all new homes, both in the kitchens and bathrooms. “Other standard options include Luxury Vinyl Plank, Floor Tile, Undermount Sinks, Moen Faucets and so much more!”

Go to streetsidecalgary.com for the latest.

Trico Homes

Trico Homes has always been at the forefront of home design innovation, and now their new line of duplex and laned homes in the new northwest community of Glacier Ridge are about to take the next step.

Trico is emphasizing the need for more flexible spaces in their two new lines of homes to reflect demand.

“Homeowners are designing their homes with multiple purposes in mind,” says Trico Homes Marketing Director, Glenda Schwartz. “A main floor home office that could also be converted into an additional bedroom, sitting area, or even playroom for the kids, is a desirable option.”

Just as important are the presence of more windows for venting and natural light; private outdoor spaces to entertain and play in; and tranquil spaces for the home with calming colours and softer fabrics, Schwartz adds. “Dedicated pet spaces have also been high on the demand list.”

The new Lancaster duplex in Glacier Ridge will have 1,660 square-feet of living space and will include a tech space on the main floor that can be used as a home office. It can come with an optional rear entrance, connected directly to the basement stairs providing opportunity for rental purposes. The tech space on the main floor is big enough to fit two desks for a spacious and stylish home office.

Trico is also releasing the Mansfield duplex model, which is 1,460 square-feet, and the Sandalwood laned home at 1,670 square-feet.

Sandi Rose, Product Development Designer at Trico Homes, says the work-from-home trend is likely to continue and homebuilders must find a way to accommodate.

“Something that became exceedingly clear in 2021 was that we needed to provide a dedicated work from home space. Homes needed to become more functional with the increased amount of time we were all spending indoors,” she says.

“Home entertaining also became more prevalent with restaurant closures, so we wanted to provide more opportunities for that through thoughtful kitchen design,” Rose adds.

For added information on Trico’s Glacier Ridge homes, register at tricohomes.com.